For the first time in its history, St. Anthony’s Anglican Church is preparing to welcome a presiding Anglican bishop for a visit.

The Most Rev. Walter H. Grundorf, presiding bishop of the Anglican Province of America and bishop of the Diocese of the Eastern U.S., will attend a special Holy Eucharist service at 5 p.m. CST Nov. 19 at the church at 9828 Hwy. 70 East, Crab Orchard.

The church serves Anglican parishioners in Roane, Cumberland, Rhea, Putnam and Morgan counties.

With holiday supplies already covering the store shelves, Roane County individuals, families, churches and groups are working to make Christmas a reality for needy children around the world by filling shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, hygiene items and notes of encouragement.

Operation Christmas Child, one of the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind, is ramping up as Roane County residents prepare to collect gift-filled shoeboxes during National Collection Week, Nov. 18-25.